Amazon India say services boosting large appliance sales

Updated : October 16, 2018 08:24 AM IST

The bulk of orders for goods such as washing machines and refrigerators came from India's smaller towns and cities, said Amit Agarwal, adding offerings like extended warranties and same day installation paid off.

Smartphones were the largest selling category in terms of value, while fashion was the biggest by units sold, he said.

Amazon's investment in an extensive delivery network, and offering installation services and monthly payment plans, helped make large appliances a major category during its annual festive sale, the head of its Indian business said on Monday.

The bulk of orders for goods such as washing machines and refrigerators came from India's smaller towns and cities, said Amit Agarwal, adding offerings like extended warranties and same day installation paid off.

"Removing the worry from shopping works," said Agarwal in a telephone interview, as Amazon wound down its five-day annual festive season sale on Monday.

India's October-December festive season is the time most households buy big-ticket items.

Smartphones were the largest selling category in terms of value, while fashion was the biggest by units sold, he said.

Amazon's private label brands - that include everything from dry fruits to backpacks - sold 10 times more than during the e-tailer's festive sale last year.

Almost 80 percent of Amazon's new customers and half its new Prime members are from smaller towns too, Agarwal said.